Saturday Jan 20 - Maori’s and the Hellhole of the Pacific!

We have a feeling the Molloy’s will really relate to this post.

Our hotel in Paihia is well situated to walk up and around a small headland to Waitangi - the Treaty Grounds.  Here the establishing treaty was signed (not without controversy) between the majority of the Maori tribes and the British who they invited to govern so as to bring law and order to the unruly sailors of British and other nationalities who were coming in increasing numbers. They were also worried about the French who wanted to bring naval vessels and establish increasing control. This was in 1840, some 70 years after Cook first set foot there. Thus started a partnership between the Maori and the British that became the country of New Zealand. We recite all this because neither of us had a clue that’s how the country started and maybe some of you didn’t either.

A map showing where Cook anchored relative to Paihia (this is for you Paul).

On the way to the treaty grounds. If he is the answer can Fish and Chips be our salvation?

Our guide on a walk through the grounds. fascinating and funny guy as well as very knowledgeable.

War canoes, this one is the largest in the world and has been paddled at up to 27 knots (with Prince Charles on board!)

This place does funny things to you.

Following our tour we were greeted and entertained in traditional Maori manner. Feirce and fascinating people.

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are a must see in New Zealand and we’re glad we did this early in our visit.

In the afternoon, and starving by now, we took the ferry over to Russell, a charming community on the other side of the bay with a fantastic display of boats at anchor.  It was here that the unruly British and others were getting out of hand after months at sea.  This led to it being once known as ‘The Hellhole of the Pacific’ but that terminology is long gone.

We saw this yacht at anchor.  Probably somewhere between 80-100 feet in length but that’s a wild guess.

We had a great lunch/early dinner at the Duke of Marlborough ‘refreshing rascals and reprobates since 1827’ 

Funnily enough we were no longer hungry after their giant platter and a beer.

So, we didn’t quite get all our plans for the day done.  We were going to go paddleboarding as well, but it has been a wonderful experience up here in the Bay of Islands.  Tomorrow we head for the Coromandel.